Engineering stable designer chromosomes (NIEDUSZYNSKI_E26DTP)

Recent technological advances allow us to design and construct entire chromosomes, allowing unprecedented potential for the creation of cellular machines. These synthetic designer de novo chromosomes allow us to address fundamental biological questions, systematically re-engineer genetic components, incorporate large-scale metabolic pathways, and ultimately engineer programmable organisms.

To fulfil this potential, it is crucial to understand the design principals for stable maintenance of synthetic chromosomes. We have recently contributed to the design, build and test of the first non-native eukaryotic chromosome, called a neoChromosome.

This PhD project builds upon this work to clarify and test the design principles for stable maintenance of fully synthetic chromosomes within eukaryotic cells. We offer a highly collaborative multi-disciplinary PhD between the Nieduszynski (chromosome biology; technology development) and Grandellis (engineering biology; molecular biology automation) groups. The student will work in a rapidly developing field and gain a unique expertise in engineering biology, technology development and automation – skills that are in high demand for modern biological research in both academia and industry.

The project will be conducted at the Earlham Institute, a BBSRC-supported, world-class research centre for bioinformatics and genome biology. The student will have access to training and career development opportunities at the Earlham Institute and on the Norwich Research Park as part of the Norwich Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership.